The planning application for the second, central phase of the new town of Northstowe has been submitted – with developers adamant it will not increase flood risk.

Designs for 3,500 homes, the town centre, three schools and the link road to the Bar Hill junction of the A14 were handed in today, in another major milestone for the redevelopment of the former Oakington barracks.

More than 70 homes in Oakington were flooded after heavy rainfall earlier this month, with other nearby villages suffering too, and there have been concerns that construction on the onetime air base would worsen the situation.

Paul Kitson, senior project manager for the Homes and Communities Agency, said these fears were unfounded.

He said: “It certainly won’t make things worse – the risk of flooding at Northstowe is going to decrease.

“We are putting in place an extensive network of drainage ditches running to two large balancing ponds which are designed to hold water permanently as attractive features which also provide capacity to deal with extreme flood situations.

“The flow out of these to the existing network is controlled so, in times of high water levels, we can hold water there to allow levels to drain down before we release it.”

The application, which will be considered by South Cambridgeshire District Council, confirms proposals to reuse buildings remaining on the site from its military days.

The former officer’s mess, next to Rampton Drift, is set to become one of two new primary schools, while the guardhouse – still boasting its original cells – would become a pub or restaurant.

The administration building would be remodelled to become housing, and eight listed ‘mushroom’ pillboxes will remain too, with one becoming an education centre.

The future use of the base’s 85ft-tall water tower is yet to be determined.

Mr Kitson said: “There will be a lot of ‘newness’ at Northstowe and it’s the older trees and buildings which will work very well with that newness and provide a sense of history.”

The HCA has confirmed the secondary school will be operated by Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust, which runs Swavesey Village College.

This is expected to open in 2018, with the second phase’s first homes likely to be occupied about a year later.

‘Real momentum’ behind project

There is now “real momentum” behind Northstowe, according to a council chief.

It will become the UK’s biggest new town since Milton Keynes, with 10,000 homes.

The first phase is being built on the site of Longstanton’s former golf course, with site clearance and archaeological investigations well under way.

Construction of roads and drains should begin in October, with house building starting towards the end of the next year, ready for occupation in early 2016.

This first phase provide 1,500 homes, plus shops, a primary school and community facilities.

The second phase will follow hot on its heels, including the town centre, two primary schools and a secondary school. No large supermarket is planned, but there will be shops, offices and restaurants around a new public square.

Transport links being provided include a new route for guided busway services through the centre of the town, and the road to the Bar Hill junction of the A14.

Cllr Tim Wotherspoon of the district council said: “There is real momentum behind the new town of Northstowe and it is really good to see this application being submitted.”